Classics 129 - Health and Medicine in Greco-Roman Antiquity

Ancient Greek and Roman discussions of medicine were highly influential in terms of method on subsequent ages. Even if much of the science has long been superseded, they continue to inform modern conceptions of health and the role of the medical practitioner. This course considers the presence of medicine and healing in the ancient world historically, moving from the evidence of early Greek poetry and philosophy, to the case histories, anatomical texts, and defenses of medicine in the Hippocratic Corpus, through to the writings of core Roman authors. On the way, we will have the opportunity to study how medical theories interacted with early scientific doctrines, how medical knowledge was reflected in ancient historical and dramatic texts, how pain and fear of death could be offset by philosophical techniques, and how doctors defined themselves in opposition to the priests and magicians with whom they were at times in competition. 

Spring semester. Professor Zanker and Hutchins.

How to handle overenrollment: Priority to students in the Classics Department and students on the Pre-Med track.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Emphasis on reading, writing, and speaking.